Chicago 2 – Derrick Rose is bothered by a hamstring injury now, and even though it feels like he’s real close to playing, we still don’t have a target date, or even any indication that he’ll try to come back and do much at all before the playoffs start. No Bull is a must-start with just two games, but Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Marco Belinelli and Nate Robinson should all at least be in the discussion this week.

Cleveland 3 – As if Kyrie Irving’s knee and illness problems haven’t been enough of a buzzkill lately, he left Sunday’s game with a bruised left shoulder and didn’t return. He shot his free throws one-handed before leaving and Shaun Livingston could be in line for a few starts this week if Irving is out. And given his injury history, their terrible record and the conservative nature of coach Byron Scott, Irving’s nervous owners should be watching the Rotoworld wire for updates the rest of the way. I don’t like the direction his story is taking. Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson look like your strong starts this week, while Livingston, C.J. Miles, Tyler Zeller, Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington and Alonzo Gee all might be worth a look in some deeper leagues.

Dallas 4 – A four-game week for the Mavs means that Dirk Nowitzki, O.J. Mayo and Darren Collison can all be trusted, while Vince Carter looks decent with Shawn Marion iffy for the week with a calf injury. Marion should probably be on all benches right now. Mayo hurt his left ankle on Sunday but played through it, so watch for updates on him Monday, as he could be iffy for Tuesday. Elton Brand, Chris Kaman and Brandan Wright are all interesting center prospects, but are sharing time, creating more of a logjam than anything else.

Detroit 3 – The Pistons aren’t expecting Andre Drummond back this week, so he should probably still be floating on waivers in your league. Maybe he’ll be back from his back injury next Monday, but I’m not holding my breath. Jose Calderon, Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe are the only Pistons I’d think about starting in a three-game week.

Golden State 4 – This is the W’s last 4-game week of the season so owners of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and David Lee (knee) should prepare themselves mentally. It sounds like Lee will go on Monday against his former team (NY), so I’d roll with him. Jarrett Jack, Carl Landry (who takes a hit if Lee is back), Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes are all worth a look this week, depending on your options. Watch for updates on Lee on Monday afternoon.

Memphis 4 – Zach Randolph sat out again on Saturday with his bum ankle, leaving him iffy for Tuesday at Portland. With four games he might be worth a roll of the dice, while Mike Conley and Marc Gasol look like strong plays. Ed Davis will be worth a spot start if Z-Bo is out again on Tuesday, while Jerryd Bayless and Tony Allen also appear to be solid four-game options this week. Quincy Pondexter might be a sneaky four-game play in real deep leagues, but there are some trust issues there.

Chicago 2 – Derrick Rose is bothered by a hamstring injury now, and even though it feels like he’s real close to playing, we still don’t have a target date, or even any indication that he’ll try to come back and do much at all before the playoffs start. No Bull is a must-start with just two games, but Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Marco Belinelli and Nate Robinson should all at least be in the discussion this week.

Cleveland 3 – As if Kyrie Irving’s knee and illness problems haven’t been enough of a buzzkill lately, he left Sunday’s game with a bruised left shoulder and didn’t return. He shot his free throws one-handed before leaving and Shaun Livingston could be in line for a few starts this week if Irving is out. And given his injury history, their terrible record and the conservative nature of coach Byron Scott, Irving’s nervous owners should be watching the Rotoworld wire for updates the rest of the way. I don’t like the direction his story is taking. Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson look like your strong starts this week, while Livingston, C.J. Miles, Tyler Zeller, Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington and Alonzo Gee all might be worth a look in some deeper leagues.

Dallas 4 – A four-game week for the Mavs means that Dirk Nowitzki, O.J. Mayo and Darren Collison can all be trusted, while Vince Carter looks decent with Shawn Marion iffy for the week with a calf injury. Marion should probably be on all benches right now. Mayo hurt his left ankle on Sunday but played through it, so watch for updates on him Monday, as he could be iffy for Tuesday. Elton Brand, Chris Kaman and Brandan Wright are all interesting center prospects, but are sharing time, creating more of a logjam than anything else.

Detroit 3 – The Pistons aren’t expecting Andre Drummond back this week, so he should probably still be floating on waivers in your league. Maybe he’ll be back from his back injury next Monday, but I’m not holding my breath. Jose Calderon, Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe are the only Pistons I’d think about starting in a three-game week.

Golden State 4 – This is the W’s last 4-game week of the season so owners of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and David Lee (knee) should prepare themselves mentally. It sounds like Lee will go on Monday against his former team (NY), so I’d roll with him. Jarrett Jack, Carl Landry (who takes a hit if Lee is back), Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes are all worth a look this week, depending on your options. Watch for updates on Lee on Monday afternoon.

Memphis 4 – Zach Randolph sat out again on Saturday with his bum ankle, leaving him iffy for Tuesday at Portland. With four games he might be worth a roll of the dice, while Mike Conley and Marc Gasol look like strong plays. Ed Davis will be worth a spot start if Z-Bo is out again on Tuesday, while Jerryd Bayless and Tony Allen also appear to be solid four-game options this week. Quincy Pondexter might be a sneaky four-game play in real deep leagues, but there are some trust issues there.

New York 4 – Amare Stoudemire’s regular season is done due to knee surgery but there’s not really a sure-fire replacement for fantasy purposes in New York. Carmelo Anthony has now missed three straight and most of a fourth with his knee injury, and we just don’t know if he’ll play Monday, despite traveling with the team. J.R. Smith, Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler look like solid options this week, while Steve Novak, Kenyon Martin and Chris Copeland might be able to help deep-league owners with four games. Here’s hoping we get good news on Melo in a few hours.

Portland 3 – LaMarcus Aldridge suffered a sprained right ankle on Sunday and while he’s vowing to play on Tuesday, he’s far from a lock to do so. Damian Lillard, who is dealing with a left shoulder injury, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and J.J. Hickson all look like safe plays, while Eric Maynor has been playing well enough to be given a deep-league look. Aldridge’s owners have to hope for the best this week, and then pray he’s fully ready for next week’s five games.

San Antonio 4 – The Spurs go back-to-back on Monday/Tuesday, leaving me a little worried that Tim Duncan and/or Manu Ginobili might be due for a night off in one of them. The point guard situation here is still a mess, while Duncan, Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter are all worth a close look.

Washington 4 – Trevor Ariza is hot, Martell Webster is a decent option as long as he’s starting, and John Wall, Nene and Emeka Okafor also look like solid plays this week. Bradley Beal has missed three straight games with a bum ankle and is iffy for Tuesday against the Cavaliers. Depending on your options, he could be worth using with four games this week, and I’m guessing he’ll play against the Cavs.

Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA for Rotoworld.com and a contributor to NBCSports.com. The 2017-18 NBA season marks (at least) his 16th year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld. Follow him on Twitter - @Docktora.Email :Steve Alexander